Beverly Hills Municipal Code Art. 3 Wastewater System

This Article shall be referred to as the WASTEWATER ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF BEVERLY HILLS. (1962 Code §§ 5-6.01 et seq., 6-1.301 - 6-1.304; amd. Ord. 25-O-2917, eff. 8-1-2025)

The purpose of this Article is to protect the environment and public health by providing for the regulation of the construction, maintenance, and operation of drainage systems that discharge sewage and wastewater into the City of Beverly Hills publicly maintained wastewater system. This Article also is designed to provide a fair and equitable method of imposing wastewater charges on residential, commercial and industrial users, and to facilitate enactment of regulations for industrial wastewater system that are mandated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the State of California. (1962 Code §§ 5-6.01 et seq., 6-1.301 - 6-1.304; amd. Ord. 25-O-2917, eff. 8-1-2025)

For the purpose of this Article, the following words and phrases shall be construed herein as set forth in this section:

ACT: The Federal Water Pollution Control Act, also known as the Clean Water Act, as amended, 33 USC 1251, et seq. (40 CFR 403.3(B)).

AVERAGE DAILY FLOW: The number of gallons of sewage discharged into the public sewers during a twenty-four (24) hour period.

BACKWATER VALVE OR BACKWATER DEVICE: A valve installed in a drainage system in or adjacent to a house or other building structure on the property owner's property, to prevent reverse flow of sewage.

BOD OR BIOCHEMICAL OXYGEN DEMAND: The measure of decomposable organic material in domestic or industrial wastewaters as represented by the oxygen utilized over a period of five (5) days at twenty degrees centigrade (20°C) and as determined by the appropriate procedure in "standard methods."

BUILDING DRAIN: The horizontal piping that receives the waste discharge from piping within the walls of a building and conveys it to the building sewer.

BUILDING SEWER (aka House Sewer): The portion of the piping that receives the sewage discharge from the building drain and conveys it to the private sewer lateral.

BYPASS: The intentional diversion of waste stream from any portion of a treatment system prior to discharge in the public sewer.

CITY BUILDING OFFICIAL: The Building Official/Assistant Director of Development Services in the Community Development Department of the City, or his/her duly authorized representative.

CLARIFICATION: The process of removal and retention of turbidity, settleable solids, and deleterious, hazardous, or undesirable matter from wastes by sedimentation or flotation.

CLARIFIER: Also referred to as an interceptor, this device is designed and installed so as to separate and retain deleterious, hazardous, or undesirable matter from normal wastes and permit normal sewage or liquid wastes to discharge into the public sewer, by gravity.

COMMERCIAL USE: Any commercial or business establishment, office, hotel, motel, or hospital.

DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS: The chief administrative official of the City's Department of Public Works. All references to the Director of Public Works as used in this Article shall include his/her duly authorized representatives and/or designees.

DISCHARGER: Any person who discharges or causes a discharge to a public sewer.

DOMESTIC WASTEWATER: The water-carried wastes that do not require additional treatment prior to discharge in the sewer system. Domestic wastewater includes, but is not limited to, water-carried wastes originating from toilets, sinks, showers, bathrooms and kitchens, and wastewater normally discharged from commercial buildings such as office buildings, and retail stores where the wastewater does not exceed two hundred and fifty (250) mg/L Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) and Suspended Solids (SS) or from industrial facilities where domestic wastewater is segregated from industrial wastewater.

DRAINAGE SYSTEM: All of the interior building piping, drains, and sewers that convey sewage and wastewater from a private or public building or structure to a legal point of disposal into the public sewer system, including all appurtenances and points of connection, but does not include the public sewer. Appurtenances include, but are not limited to, backwater valves, clarifiers, gate valves, grease interceptors, grease traps, points of connection, sewage ejectors, sump pumps, tee saddles, top hats, and wye saddles.

EPA: The United States Environmental Protection Agency.

FACILITY: A pipe or structure constructed for the purpose of collecting, conveying, pumping, treating and disposing of industrial wastewater and sewage.

FOG DISPOSAL SYSTEM: A gravity grease interceptor, grease interceptor, grease traps, or grease removal device that reduces non-petroleum fats, oils and grease in effluent by separation, and mass and volume reduction.

GATE VALVE: A type or component that is designed to start or stop water flow.

GRAVITY GREASE INTERCEPTOR: A plumbing appurtenance or appliance that is installed in a sanitary drainage system to intercept non-petroleum fats, oils and grease from a wastewater discharge and is identified by volume and contains 30-minute retention time, baffle(s), a minimum of two compartments, a minimum total volume of 750 gallons, and gravity separation.

GREASE INTERCEPTOR: A device that separates non-petroleum fats, oil and greases from a wastewater discharge, designed for kitchens that have a flow rate of more than 50 gallons per minute (typically used in restaurants).

GREASE REMOVAL DEVICE: Any hydromechanical grease interceptor that automatically, mechanically removes non-petroleum fats, oils and grease from the interceptor, the control of which are either automatic or manually initiated.

GREASE TRAP: A device that separates non-petroleum fats, oil and greases from a wastewater discharge, used for low-flow situations. That is, they are designed specifically to work with low water pressure (less than 50 gallons per minute).

GROSS FLOOR AREA: The area included within the exterior of the surrounding walls of a building or portions thereof, exclusive of courts.

GROUND WATER: All water that can be or is produced from beneath the ground surface, but does not include water which flows in known and definite channels.

HOUSE SEWER: See BUILDING SEWER.

INDIRECT CHARGE (Into a Sewer): The introduction of pollutants into a POTW from any nondomestic source regulated under section 307 (B), (C) or (D) of the Act (40 CFR 401.11 (C)).

INDUSTRIAL CONNECTION SEWER: A private sewer lateral used primarily for the discharge of industrial waste. An industrial connection sewer is commonly referred to as a private sewer lateral. Although it is located in the public right-of-way, the industrial connection sewer, including its point of connection with the public sewer main, is private property owned and maintained by the property owner.

INDUSTRIAL USER: A source of indirect discharge.

INDUSTRIAL WASTE: Liquid, gaseous or solid waste, except domestic wastewater, including, but not limited to radioactive substances and explosives, and noxious or toxic gas when present in the sewer system. Industrial Waste includes waste from an industrial, commercial, manufacturing, institutional, or agricultural process.

INDUSTRIAL WASTE PRETREATMENT OR TREATMENT FACILITY: Any works or device for the treatment of industrial waste, prior to discharge into the public sewer.

INDUSTRIAL WASTEWATER: All water-carried wastes and wastewater from an industrial, commercial, manufacturing, institutional, or agricultural process, excluding domestic wastewater and uncontaminated water. Industrial wastewater includes water which comes into direct contact with, or results from the storage, production, or use of any raw material, intermediate product, finished product, by-product or waste product.

INSPECTOR: A person authorized by the Director of Public Works to inspect wastewater facilities.

INTERCEPTOR: See CLARIFIER.

INTERFERENCE: A discharge which, or in conjunction with a discharge or discharges from other sources: a) inhibits or disrupts the POTW, its treatment processes or operations or its sludge processes, use or disposal; and b) is therefore a cause of a violation of any requirement of the POTW's NPDES permit (including an increase in the magnitude or duration of a violation) or of the prevention of a sewage sludge use or disposal in compliance with the following statutory provision and regulations or permits issued thereunder (or more stringent state or local regulation): section 405 of the Clean Water Act, the Solid Waste Disposal Act (SWDA) (including title II, more commonly referred to as the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCDA)), and including state regulations contained in any sludge management plan prepared pursuant to subtitle D of the SWDA, the Clean Air Act, and the Marine Protection, Research and Sanctuaries Act (40 CFR 403.3 (I)).

LATERAL (SEWER): See, PRIVATE SEWER LATERAL or INDUSTRIAL CONNECTION SEWER.

LOT: Any parcel of land occupied or to be occupied for use permitted by this code.

NPDES PERMIT: A National Pollution Discharge Elimination System permit issued pursuant to section 402 of the Act (40 CFR 404.3 (K)).

NATIONAL CATEGORICAL PRETREATMENT STANDARD, NCPS, NATIONAL PRETREATMENT STANDARD, PRETREATMENT STANDARD, OR STANDARD: Any regulation containing pollutant discharge limits promulgated by the EPA in accordance with sections 307 (B) and (C) of the Act which applies to industrial users. This term includes prohibitive discharge limits established pursuant to section 403.5 of title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations (40 CFR 404.3 (J)).

NEW SOURCE: Any building, structure, facility, or installation from which there is or may be a discharge of pollutants, the construction of which commenced after the publication of proposed pretreatment standards under section 307 (C) of the Act applicable to such source.

NON-ROUTINE DISCHARGE: Any wastewater discharge that is not permitted waste in accordance with applicable permit conditions and is not prohibited by applicable local, state and federal industrial waste regulations.

OFF SITE DISPOSAL: The disposal or removal of industrial wastes or other materials regulated by this Article to a site other than the premises where the wastes are generated whether or not such site is under the control of the industrial waste disposal permittee.

ON SITE DISPOSAL: The management, treatment, control or disposal, other than to the public sewer system, of industrial wastes or other materials within the premises named in an industrial waste permit whether or not the wastes were generated at the permitted site or by the permittee.

PASS THROUGH: A discharge which exits the POTW into the waters of the United States in quantities or concentrations which, alone or in conjunction with a discharge from other sources, is a cause of a violation of any requirement of the POTW's NPDES permit (including an increase in the magnitude or duration of a violation) (40 CFR 403.3 (N)).

PEAK FLOW OR PEAK FLOW RATE: The maximum thirty (30) minute rate of sewage flow to be generated from the premises as estimated by the Director of Public Works.

6-1-303PERMITTEE: Any person to whom a permit has been granted and issued under the terms of this Article.

PLUMBING CODE: The California Plumbing Code, as adopted by City ordinance.

POINT OF CONNECTION: The connection of a private sewer lateral to the public sewer, including all appurtenances constituting the connection such as a saddle (including Wye Saddle and Tee Saddle) or top hat.

POLLUTION OF UNDERGROUND OR SURFACE WATERS: Affecting the chemical, physical, biological and radiological integrity of such waters by manmade or man induced activities.

POTW: A publicly owned treatment works, referring to a treatment works, as that term is defined by Section 212 of the Act, which is owned by a government agency. This definition includes any intercepting sewers, outfall sewers, sewage collection systems, pumping , power and other equipment. The wastewater treated by these facilities is generated by industrial, commercial or domestic sources.

PRETREATMENT OR TREATMENT: The reduction of the amount of pollutants, the elimination of pollutants, or the alteration of the nature of pollutant properties in wastewater to a less harmful state prior to or in lieu of discharging or otherwise introducing such pollutants into a POTW or disposal facility. The reduction or alteration can be obtained by physical, chemical or biological processes or process changes by use of an industrial waste treatment facility or other means, except as prohibited by 40 CFR section 403.6 (D). (40 CFR 403.3 (Q).)

PRIVATE DRAINAGE SYSTEM: The drainage system of a private property containing a dwelling or other residential, commercial, or industrial structure or use, including but not limited to sewage or industrial waste treatment facilities or private pretreatment plants. The private drainage system includes all interior plumbing, building drains, house sewers (aka building sewers), private sewer laterals, industrial connection sewers, and all appurtenances thereto including but not limited to points of connection, clarifiers, backwater valves, gravity grease interceptors, grease removal devices, grease interceptors, grease traps, sewage ejectors, sewage pumps, and sump pumps.

PRIVATE SEWER LATERAL: That part of the sewer piping that receives sewage and wastewater from the building sewer and conveys it to the public sewer in the public right-of-way. The private sewer lateral is any sewer pipeline and fittings, or portions thereof, located between the property line and the public sewer main. Although it is located in the public right-of-way, the private sewer lateral, including its point of connection with the public sewer main, is private property owned and maintained by the property owner.

PUBLIC SEWER: Any sewer and POTW, other than the private sewer lateral, which has been constructed in the public street, alley, or other public place or established easement, and receives wastewater from the private sewer lateral.

RESIDENTIAL USE: Any single-family or multiple-family dwelling.

SADDLE: See Wye Saddle (aka Y saddle) and/or Tee Saddle (aka T saddle).

SEWAGE OR WASTEWATER: The liquid and water-carried industrial and/or domestic wastes from facilities, including, but not limited to, dwellings, commercial buildings, industrial facilities, and other institutions, together with other wastes which may be present, whether treated or untreated, which enter a POTW.

SEWER DISPOSAL: The disposal of industrial waste or other materials by means of a connection to the public sewer system from the premises named in an industrial waste permit.

SEWAGE EJECTOR: A device for lifting sewage by entraining it on a high-velocity jet stream, air, or water. This may be required to be used in conjunction with a backwater valve, as set forth in the Plumbing Code.

SEWAGE PUMP: A permanently installed mechanical device, other than an ejector, for removing sewage or liquid waste from a sump.

SEWER LATERAL: See, PRIVATE SEWER LATERAL OR INDUSTRIAL CONNECTION SEWER.

SOLID WASTES: Wastes that are not water-carried and that are suitable for disposal with refuse at a sanitary landfill refuse disposal site.

STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: A classification pursuant to the "Standard Industrial Classification Manual" issued by the Executive Office of the President, Office of Management and Budget, 1972, as amended.

STANDARD METHODS: The current edition of "Standard Methods For The Examination Of Water And Wastewater," published by the American Public Health Association, American Water Works Association and Water Environment Federation.

SUMP PUMP: An approved tank or pit that receives sewage or liquid waste, which is located below the normal grade of the gravity system, and which must be emptied by mechanical means.

SUSPENDED SOLIDS (aka SS): The insoluble solid matter suspended in wastewater that is separable by filtration in accordance with the procedure described in "standard methods."

TAPPING: The forming of a connection of a private sewer lateral to an existing public sewer.

TEE SADDLE (aka T SADDLE): A short pipe fitting with a shoulder at one end to allow the application of the fitting to a hole tapped in the public sewer forming a ninety degree (90°) angle to the public sewer pipe. Once installed, the tee saddle is a component part of the point of connection.

TOP HAT: A lining formed by a cured in place pipe to repair and seal the point of connection at the public sewer to the private sewer lateral, typically including an epoxy or similar flexible liner that intrudes between approximately 6-18 inches (6"-18") into the private sewer lateral. Once installed, the top hat is a component part of the point of connection.

UNCONTAMINATED WATER: Water to which no substance has been added by any person.

UNCONTROLLED DISCHARGE: Any discharge, intentional or accidental, occurring in such a manner that the discharger is unable to determine or regulate the quantity, quality or effects of the discharge.

WYE SADDLE (aka Y SADDLE): A short pipe fitting with a shoulder at one end to allow the application of a fitting to a hole tapped in the public sewer forming a forty five degree (45°) angle to the public sewer pipe. Once installed, the Wye Saddle is a component part of the point of connection. (1962 Code §§ 5-6.01 et seq., 6-1.301 --6-1.304; amd. Ord. 25-O-2917, eff. 8-1-2025)

A. Facilities: This Article shall apply to all privately and publicly owned properties that discharge to the public sewer system in the City, including but not limited to building drains, building sewers, private sewer laterals, industrial connection sewers, clarifiers, grease traps, and all of their respective appurtenances.

B. Discharges: This Article shall apply to the direct or indirect discharge of all liquid-carried wastes to the public sewer system of the City. Generally, liquid wastes originating within the City will be removed by the City's public sewer system, unless the wastes cause damage to structures, create nuisances such as odors, menace to public health, impose unreasonable collection, treatment or disposal costs on the City, violate quantity and/or quality requirements prescribed by state and federal laws, interfere with wastewater treatment processes, violate applicable state and federal laws, or detrimentally affect the environment.

C. Limitations On Effect Of Permit: Permits issued pursuant to this Article and subsequent amendments do not authorize the commission of any act causing injury to the property of another, including public property and improvements, nor protect the discharger from his/her liabilities under federal, state, or local law, nor guarantee the discharger a capacity right in the receiving waters. (1962 Code §§ 5-6.01 et seq., 6-1.301 - 6-1.304; amd. Ord. 25-O-2917, eff. 8-1-2025)

A. Penalties: It shall be unlawful to violate any provision of this Article, the conditions or limitations of any permit issued under this Article, or any rule or regulation prescribed and adopted pursuant to this Article.

B. Unlawful To Violate: Unless expressly stated otherwise, violation of this Article or any condition or limitation of the permits issued pursuant to this Article shall be punishable as provided in Title One of this Code. Violations of industrial wastewater limitations or regulations of industrial waste permits are also subject to civil damages up to one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) per day per violation.

C. Notification of Violation. Except as provided below, prior to pursuing any penalties pursuant to this Article, the City shall issue a notice to cease and desist describing the violation and demanding that the recipient immediately stop and remedy the unlawful activity. The notice to cease and desist shall be in writing and mailed to the property owner at the owner's last known address as the name appears on the latest equalized assessment roll. In the case of the need for urgent action, such as possible contamination by hazardous materials, or where there is immediate danger to public health and safety or the environment, the City may immediately pursue penalties, without issuing any notice to cease and desist, pursuant to this Article. (1962 Code §§ 5-6.01 et seq., 6-1.301 - 6-1.304; amd. Ord. 00-O-2356, eff. 11-3-2000; amd. Ord. 25-O-2917, eff. 8-1-2025)

A. The Director of Public Works shall keep complete records of all permit applications and permits that are: (1) issued for new construction of private drainage systems; tapping into the public sewer main; repair or replacement of all points of connection to the public sewer main, and all other work conducted on private drainage systems in the public right-of-way; and (2) issued under this Article for industrial discharges.

The City Building Official shall keep complete records of all permit applications and permits issued for all parts of a private sewer drainage system up to the public right-of-way. This includes, but is not limited to, pipes, backflow valves, sewage ejector, sewage pumps and appurtenances that are part of the private lateral system.

B. All applications shall include date, location, plans, and specific description of the use, and the names and addresses of applicants and permittees.

C. All records of fee payments made in compliance with this Article shall be maintained by the Director of Finance. (1962 Code §§ 5-6.01 et seq., 6-1.301 - 6-1.304; amd. Ord. 25-O-2917, eff. 8-1-2025)

A. Private Drainage Systems, Sewers and Appurtenances Requirements and Regulations.

1. Required Maintenance: Private drainage systems shall be maintained by the owner of the private property in good operating condition and in conformity with all applicable laws, codes, and regulations. Maintenance shall include, but is not limited to, (a) periodic inspection of all components of the drainage system; (b) repair, cleaning, flushing, hydro-jetting, snaking, or treatment for removal of roots and fats, oils and grease as needed; and (c) replacement of appurtenances in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendation or as needed.

2. Private Sewer Laterals To Serve Not More Than One Lot: No more than one lot shall be connected to any one private sewer lateral, except as permitted in writing by the Director of Public Works in their discretion.

3. Private Drainage System Closing Procedure: Whenever the use of a private drainage system is discontinued due to connection to another private drainage system or due to moving, wrecking, or burning of a building, or for any other reason, such private drainage system shall be sealed at the point of connection with the public sewer. Whenever the Building Official or Director of Public Works determines that a private drainage system has not been sealed as required herein, they shall mail a notice of correction or violation to the owner at the address on file with the City and post notice on the property.

4. Relocation of Sewer Lines In An Easement: A person proposing to move sewer facilities located in an easement shall submit an application and plans to relocate the sewer line to the Department of Public Works for approval. The plans must provide sufficient access for maintenance work and shall be in accordance with good engineering practices in a manner satisfactory to the Director of Public Works. No plans shall be approved, nor sewer facilities constructed nor placed in use until any required easements have been properly amended, executed and recorded.

5. Ground Water Discharge to the Sewer System: No discharger shall discharge ground water into the public sewer unless permitted by the City pursuant to Title 9, Chapter 4, Article 6 of this Code and all of the following are met:

a. The volume of ground water discharge shall not materially and adversely affect the hydraulic capacity of the sewer system.

(1) If the volume of ground water discharge materially and adversely affects the hydraulic capacity of the sewer system, then the discharger must discharge to the storm drain system. The discharger must provide proof to the Department of Public Works of a valid NPDES permit and the ability to discharge to the storm drain system.

b. The discharger complies with all industrial wastewater requirements in this Article, including, but not limited to Sections 6-1-310 , 6-1-311 , 6-1-312 and 6-1-313 of this Code.

c. The discharger complies with all ground water and other applicable requirements pursuant to Title 9, Chapter 4, Article 6 of this Code.

6. Discharges Of Water On Streets Prohibited: No person shall negligently, willfully or maliciously discharge, throw or deposit sewage or wastewater on any street or alley in such a manner as to obstruct or damage the street or alley, or to create a nuisance or hazard to persons or property, or to prevent or interfere with the free and uninterrupted use of the street by the public.

7. Unlawful Interference with Sewer System: No person shall discharge any waste or sewage into the sewer system which will cause interference with the POTW.

8. Unlawful Discharge Or Pollution: No person shall discharge any waste or sewage into any watercourse, flood control channel or tributaries or into the ground by percolation or injection.

9. Public Nuisance: No person shall discharge or deposit waste or sewage which creates a public nuisance, a menace to the public safety, pollution or contamination of underground or surface waters, or impairs the use of any public sewer, storm drain channel, or public or private property.

10. Cesspools And Septic Tanks Prohibited: The disposal of sewage by means of septic tanks and cesspools or leach fields is prohibited and a currently operating septic tank, cesspool or leach field is a nonconforming sewer facility in the City and its use is to be discontinued within a time frame deemed reasonable by the City Building Official.

B. Responsibility for Maintenance and Costs of Repairs to Sewer Systems.

1. Responsibility For Maintenance of Private Drainage System: Maintenance and repair of the private drainage system and all of its component parts is the sole responsibility of the property owner. This includes: (a) internal plumbing and appurtenances (including but not limited to backwater valves, clarifiers, ejectors, grease traps, interceptors, grease removal devices and sump pumps); (b) building drains; (c) building sewers (aka house sewers); (d) private sewer laterals; and (e) points of connection and their appurtenances (including but not limited to tee saddles, wye saddles, and top hats).

a. Maintenance of Private Sewer Laterals and Industrial Connections Sewers: Property owners must obtain a permit from the Department of Public Works to perform maintenance or repair of private sewer laterals and industrial connection sewers that involves working in the public right-of-way, including the installation of wye and tee saddles, and top hats, but not including hydro-jetting or snaking of a sewer line. Violation of this subsection is a municipal infraction and shall be punishable by an administrative fine in accordance with Section 1-3-311 of this Code.

b. Hydro-Jetting and Snaking of Private Sewer Laterals: Property owners are encouraged to inform the City when hydro-jetting or snaking has been performed on a private sewer lateral within one business day after hydro-jetting or snaking has been performed.

c. Pipe-lining of Private Sewer Laterals: CCTV inspection is required for all pipe-lining maintenance work, including installation and any repairs of pipe-liners. Property owners are solely responsible for obtaining the CCTV inspection. Pipe-lining that blocks proper flow of the sewer system (aka a protruding pipe-liner) is prohibited. If the Department determines that the pipe-lining blocks proper flow of the sewer system or otherwise protrudes such that there is material risk that the pipe-lining may block the proper flow of the sewer system, the Department shall notify the property owners. Property owners are solely responsible for removing protruding pipe-liners and necessary costs to correct the issue, regardless of whether the protruding pipe-liner is identified by the Department. Property owners shall be solely responsible for any and all damages caused by protruding, or otherwise improper pipe-lining.

2. Responsibility For Maintenance of Public Sewer System: Maintenance and repair of the public sewers is the sole responsibility of the City.

3. Cost Of Repair To A Public Sewer: Any person, who unlawfully obstructs, damages, destroys, or removes any public sewer, or appurtenance thereof, shall be liable for the reconstruction of the sewer and associated structures and/or the reasonable cost of necessary flushing, cleaning, and inspection.

4. Cost of Disposal To A Public Sewer: A discharger who unlawfully discharges wastes that are prohibited by local, state and federal regulations into the City's public sewer system, shall be liable for the cost of proper disposal and treatment associated with the prohibited waste from the sewer system. If the discharger is unable to properly dispose of such waste, the City will dispose of the waste and assess against the discharger the costs of disposal, and the cost of any additional enforcement actions the City may take.

C. City Inspection of Private Drainage Systems, Sewers, and Appurtenances.

1. The Director of Public Works may, upon reasonable notice, inspect private drainage systems, or portions thereof, when deemed necessary for the proper operation of the City's public sewer system into which sewage and wastewater is discharged and to determine whether the private drainage systems comply with the provisions of this Article. Inspections may include building drains, building sewers, private sewer laterals, and all appurtenances such as clarifiers, gravity grease receptors, grease interceptors, grease traps, grease removal devices backflow/backwater valves, sewage ejectors, sewage pumps, and sump pumps. Inspection may also be made of pollution control devices, all industrial processes, industrial wastewater generation, conveyance and pretreatment facilities, and similar facilities.

2. Authority To Enter In Emergency: If the Director of Public Works has reasonable cause to believe that there are violations of this Article occurring that are so hazardous, unsafe or dangerous as to require immediate inspection to protect the public health or safety, the Director of Public Works shall have the right to immediately enter and inspect such property, and may use any reasonable means required to effect such entry and make such inspection, whether such property is occupied or unoccupied, and whether or not permission to inspect has been obtained. If the property is occupied, the Director of Public Works shall first present proper credentials to the occupant and demand entry, explaining his/her reasons therefor and the purpose of the inspection. No person shall fail or refuse to permit reasonable emergency inspection.

D. Opening Maintenance Hole: No person shall open, enter, or allow to remain open, any maintenance hole in any public sewer without a permit from the Director of Public Works.

E. Disposal Of Effluent In Maintenance Hole; Prohibition: No person shall deposit cesspool effluent or any waste or sewage into a maintenance hole. (1962 Code §§ 5-6.01 et seq., 6-1.301 - 6-1.304)

F. Violations.

1. Unlawful to Violate: Any person who unlawfully discharges or causes wastewater to be discharged into the public sewer or storm drain systems, or who unlawfully enters the sewer system without a permit is in violation of this Article and shall be deemed to be liable for all damages, costs, fines or charges incurred.

2. Disconnection Of Unlawful Connection: The Director of Public Works may order disconnection of any private sewer lateral installed or maintained in violation of the provisions of this Article. Reconnection of such a disconnected sewer shall be made only upon issuance of a permit as provided in this Article. Before such permit is issued or considered, the applicant shall reimburse the City for all cost resulting from the disconnection. (1962 Code §§ 5-6.01 et seq., 6-1.301 - 6-1.304; amd. Ord. 25-O-2917, eff. 8-1-2025)

A. There is imposed a wastewater service charge for the receiving, transportation, pumping, treatment and disposal of wastewater through the wastewater system, and capital replacement costs pertaining thereto.

B. The wastewater service charge shall be charged to residential, commercial, governmental, industrial and other users of the wastewater system pursuant to article 1, "General Provisions Relating to City Utility Service" of this chapter. It shall have the following components as follows:

1. A fixed rate component, which shall be based on a user class to recover the City's fixed costs of service to that particular user class.

2. A variable rate component, which shall be based on estimated volume discharge of wastewater as determined by metered water usage and adopted discharge factors to recover the City's variable or flow related cost of service.

3. Wastewater strength component of low, medium, or high wastewater strength, shall be applied to commercial and industrial users. The strength component shall be based on the actual or estimated sewage strength using Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) and Total Suspended Solids (TSS) criteria, and generally intended to recover the City's variable costs of collecting, transporting, pumping, treating and disposing of wastewater which exceeds residential strength. Classification of wastewater strength by commercial or industrial users are referenced below.

a. Low Strength (Range - BOD/TSS: 0 to 250 mg/L (ppm))

Banks and Financial Institutions

Barber Shops/Hair Salons (Hair Cutting Only)

Post Offices/Government

Retail Stores

Libraries

Schools

Religious Buildings, Halls and Lodges

Offices (Business and Professional)

b. Medium Strength (Range - BOD/TSS: 251 to 600 mg/L (ppm))

Bars and Taverns (w/o Dining)

Appliance Repair

Barber Shops/Hair Salons (Haircutting w/Add'l Treatments)

Dry Cleaners

Nail Salons

Pet Groomers

Commercial Laundromats

Tasting Rooms

Medical Offices/Hospitals (General, Cosmetic, Dental, Convalescent & Veterinarian)

Hotels, Motels, or Bed and Breakfast

Pools with Restrooms (Clubhouse) Theaters

Warehouses

Car Washes

Gym or Health Club

Service Stations, Garages, Auto Repair Shops

Car Rental/Car Service

Mini Marts (w/o Dish Washer or Garbage Disposal)

Mini Mart with Gas Pumps - (w/o Dish Washer or Garbage Disposal)

Spa

c. High Strength (Range -BOD/TSS: over 600 mg/L (ppm))

Restaurants

Coffee Shops

Ice Cream Parlors

Catering

Eatery

Juice Bars

Bakeries

Butcher Shops

Bars and Taverns (w/ Dining)

Grocery Stores or Markets

Mini Marts (w/ Dish Washer or Garbage Disposal)

Delicatessens

4. Commercial or industrial users may request to evaluate their wastewater strength for appropriate classification. The Director of Public Works, or his or her designated representative, shall evaluate the user's wastewater strength by using Section 6-1-308 (B)(3) user classification and/or estimated return to the wastewater system by the types of commercial or industrial users in the customer's premise.

5. The wastewater service charges shall be computed at the rates established from time to time pursuant to article 1, "General Provisions Relating to City Utility Service" of this chapter.

6. No wastewater service charge shall be made to any appurtenance, improvement, building, lot or property where there is no connection to discharge to the wastewater system.

7. No wastewater service charge shall be made to water use metered by an irrigation meter where none of the water use is discharged to the wastewater system.

8. The Director of Public Works, or his or her designated representative, shall have the power and duty, and is directed to enforce all the provisions of this Section 6-1-308, and shall provide such rules and regulations as are consistent with the provisions of said section and may be necessary or desirable to aid in the administration, adjustment and enforcement of said section. (Ord. 24-O-2888, eff. 4-11-2024; amd. Ord. 25-O-2917, eff. 8-1-2025)

A. Permit Required: No person shall connect to or tap a public sewer of the city or maintain a connection or tap to such sewer without obtaining a permit from Director of Public Works.

1. Easement Requirements: No permit shall be issued to connect a house sewer (aka building sewer) or private sewer lateral to a public sewer if the connection or any portion thereof is in, under, or on a lot not owned by the person whose property is to be connected and no recorded easements exist authorizing the connection of such lot.

2. Capacity Requirements For Discharge Of Sewage: No permit shall be issued to connect to or tap a public sewer unless the public sewer has sufficient sewage capacity to receive the intended discharge. The Director of Public Works may require the discharger to restrict the discharge until sufficient capacity is available, or to construct a public sewer to provide sufficient capacity. The Director of Public Works may refuse service to persons locating facilities in areas where their proposed quantity or quality of sewage or industrial wastewater is unacceptable to the available treatment facility.

B. Tapping or Saddling To the Public Sewer: When, in the opinion of the Director of Public Works, a private sewer lateral should be connected to a public sewer at a point where there is no existing point of connection, the property owner shall submit an application for a public sewer tap to the Director of Public Works. Upon approval by the Director of Public Works, a permit will be issued for construction of the private sewer lateral. The property owner shall complete the construction in conformance with the requirements of this Article and any additional specifications provided in the permit.

1. Tapping To Be Performed In The Presence Of A City Inspector: All tapping of public sewers shall be made (1) by a contractor or plumber holding a valid license issued by the Contractors State License Board of the State of California (2) in the presence of and to the satisfaction of an inspector acting under the authority of the Director of Public Works.

2. Sewer Capping Requirements for Demolition or Removal of Structures: When the City Building Official issues a building demolition and/or building moving permit, the scope of work for that permit shall include capping the private sewer lateral at the property line. Within five days after demolition or removal of any structure upon the land to which a sewer is attached pursuant to such permit, the owner or possessor of the land shall cause the sewer to be capped at the property line. The private sewer lateral shall not be backfilled until inspected and approved by the City Building Official. The capped private sewer lateral at the property line is a temporary measure to facilitate demolition or moving and shall be placed back in service upon completion of the new structure. If the owner or possessor of the property abandons the existing private sewer lateral and replaces it with a new private sewer lateral, then the abandoned private sewer lateral shall be removed from the public sewer main by disconnecting the abandoned private sewer lateral at the point of connection. Disconnection of the abandoned private sewer lateral shall be inspected and approved by the Director of Public Works and the City Building Official.

C. Requirements for Connections to Public Sewers: Connections to public sewers shall comply with all of the following:

1. Private sewer laterals shall be made with pipe of cast iron, clay or other material approved by the City Building Official or Director of Public Works;

2. The pipe of the private sewer lateral shall be laid in conformity with city specifications for public sewers as determined by the City Building Official;

3. The pipe of the private sewer lateral shall be laid in a straight alignment and at a uniform slope, and shall have a fall of at least one foot (1') in fifty feet (50') unless the Director of Public Works determines that an exception is warranted;

4. The pipe of the private sewer lateral must be at least three and one-half feet (31/2') below an established street or alley grade where it crosses the property line on the date of installation unless the Director of Public Works determines that an exception is warranted;

5. A wye saddle or tee saddle shall be installed in tapped public sewers by cutting a properly proportioned hole in the public sewer and fitting the saddle tightly in place. Wye saddles shall be placed in the side of the public sewer with the wye branch so pointed as to direct the flow from the private sewer lateral downstream at approximately a forty five degree (45°) angle with the public sewer, and tilted upward at approximately forty five degrees (45°) from the horizontal. Tee saddles shall be used for connections to public sewers that are twelve inches (12") or larger in diameter, and tilted upward at approximately forty five degrees (45°) from the horizontal or as approved by the Director of Public Works;

6. No private sewer lateral or industrial waste connection to a public sewer shall be made without written permission from the Director of Public Works. Connections to the public sewer shall meet all requirements of this Article;

7. Drainage of Fixtures Located Below the Next Upstream Maintenance Hole or Below the Level of the Public Sewer Main:

a. An approved type of backwater valve shall be installed by the property owner whenever the conditions specified in the currently adopted and effective Plumbing Code are present including, but not limited to, Plumbing Code sections 710.0 et seq., 722.0 et seq., 1502.2.3, and 1602.9.5, and all such future and other applicable Plumbing Code provisions as they may be amended or renumbered.

b. An approved watertight sump, receiving tank, and/or sewage ejector shall be installed by the property owner whenever the conditions specified in the currently adopted and effective Plumbing Code are present including, but not limited to, Plumbing Code sections 710.0 et seq., 722.0 et seq., 1502.2.3, and 1602.9.5, and all such future and other applicable Plumbing Code provisions as they may be amended or renumbered.

8. The City Building Official may require the property owner to install a backwater valve and/or sump, sewage ejector, or other appurtenance, even if the conditions requiring mandatory installation under the Plumbing Code are not present, if the City Building Official determines, in their discretion, that other conditions warrant such installation. (1962 Code §§ 5-6.01 et seq., 6-1.301 - 6-1.304; amd. Ord. 25-O-2917, eff. 8-1-2025)

A. Applicability: This section shall apply to all privately and publicly owned properties that discharge to the public sewer system in the City.

B. Unlawful Discharge Of Industrial Wastewater: No person shall directly or indirectly discharge industrial wastewater into the City sewer system unless the Director of Public Works has determined that the substance to be discharged will not violate the provisions of this Article, the water quality standard for receiving waters established by other government agencies, or the conditions of an industrial waste permit issued by the Director of Public Works pursuant to Section 6-1-311 , whichever is more restrictive.

C. Uncontrolled Discharge: In the event of an uncontrolled discharge, the discharger or permittee shall immediately notify the Director of Public Works of the incident by telephone. The notification shall include the location of the discharge, type of material, concentration and volume, and corrective action. Within ten (10) working days after the uncontrolled discharge, the discharger or permittee shall submit to the Director of Public Works a detailed written report describing the cause of the discharge, the corrective action taken and the measures to be taken to prevent future incidents. Such notification shall not relieve the discharger or permittee of liability or fines that may result from the uncontrolled discharge. (1962 Code §§ 5-6.01 et seq., 6-1.301 - 6-1.304; amd. Ord. 25-O- 2917, eff. 8-1-2025)

A. Purpose: The highest and best use of the city's wastewater system is the conveyance of domestic wastewater. The use of the City's wastewater system for the conveyance of industrial wastewater is subject to additional regulation and permits.

B. Applicability: A person desiring to conduct any of the following must obtain an industrial waste permit from the Director of Public Works authorizing such activity:

1. Discharge of Industrial Wastewater: Discharge of any amount and type of industrial waste into any City sewer;

2. Off-Site Industrial Waste Disposal: Disposal of industrial waste material by hauling said material to an authorized disposal site; and

3. On-Site Industrial Wastewater Disposal: Operation of a pretreatment facility for the disposal of industrial wastewater.

C. Applications for Industrial Waste Permits: Applications for industrial waste permits shall be filed in writing with the Director of Public Works and shall be supplemented by such additional information as the Director of Public Works may require, including, but not limited to submission of industrial waste pretreatment and plumbing plans, pretreatment equipment specification information, and Material Safety Data Sheets.

1. Industrial Waste Permit Fee: Each applicant for an industrial waste permit shall pay an application fee at the time the application is submitted that shall be separate and apart from any fee or deposit collected for industrial waste plan review or imposed under any other provisions of this Article, or other City ordinance or regulation or by reason of any license, agreement or contract between the applicant and another public agency. Such application fee shall not be refundable in the event the application is denied. The industrial waste permit application fee shall be set annually by Council in the resolution of the Council of the City of Beverly Hills amending the comprehensive schedule of municipal fees and charges.

2. Review of Applications: The Director of Public Works shall review all applications for industrial waste permits to determine that the proposed discharge of waste will not violate any provision of this Article, or any state and federal laws. Within thirty (30) days after the Director of Public Works receives an application for an industrial waste permit, the Director shall, pursuant to this Article, grant or deny the permit and notify the applicant of the action taken. Such time limit may be extended by mutual agreement between the Director of Public Works and the applicant.

D. Industrial Waste Permit Conditions: The Director of Public Works, in granting a permit, may impose conditions consistent with the purpose of this Article, including, but not limited to, pretreatment of wastewater before discharge, installation of clarifiers or grease traps, restriction of peak flow discharges or of discharge of certain substances, limitation of discharge to certain hours, and payment of additional charges to defray increased costs to the City created by the discharge. The Director of Public Works may establish a maximum permissible rate of discharge for each permittee.

1. Whenever the operators of the treatment facilities, through which effluent from the City's wastewater system is discharged, require any modification of the conditions or composition of the effluent, the Director of Public Works may impose conditions upon any industrial waste permit in order to conform with such requirements.

E. Facility Requirements: All industrial waste permittees shall comply with the following regulations and restrictions:

1. The industrial waste discharger shall provide, install and operate and maintain a pretreatment system, monitoring facility or control system such as a clarifier or grease trap of adequate capacity and at a location, as determined by the Director of Public Works, prior to connection with the public sewer, unless it is waived in writing by the Director of Public Works. Approval for the size, type and location of a pretreatment system shall be obtained from the Director of Public Works and the Building Official prior to installation. Access to such pretreatment or monitoring facilities by authorized personnel will remain unobstructed at all times. The pretreatment system, monitoring facility or control system shall be maintained in good working order and shall operate as efficiently as possible to achieve compliance with the industrial waste permit requirements at all times.

2. Sanitary wastes from rest rooms, lavatories, drinking fountains, showers, etc., shall be segregated from pretreated wastewaters, until necessary pretreatment and/or clarification, flow, and quality monitoring steps are completed.

3. Cleansers utilized in wastes discharged into the public sewer shall be limited to soap, similarly acting biodegradable synthetic detergents, and/or sodium or potassium compounds of phosphates, polyphosphates, silicates, sulfates, carbonate, bicarbonate, or hydroxide. No organic solvents shall be discharged into the public sewers.

4. A copy of the industrial waste permit shall be maintained at the facility so as to be available at all times to operating personnel and inspectors.

5. Any change in the applicant's industrial process or an increase in volume of wastes to a level in excess of twenty five thousand (25,000) gallons per day shall require notification of the Director of Public Works before initiation of the proposed change in the waste discharge. The Director of Public Works may require a new application for the issuance of an industrial discharge permit pursuant to the provisions of this Section.

6. In the event of any change in name, ownership, or control of the company, or any change referred to in subsection (E)(5) of this section, the discharger shall notify the Director of Public Works of such change, and shall notify the succeeding owner or operator of the existence of this permit by letter, a copy of which shall be forwarded to the Director of Public Works, at least thirty (30) days prior to such change. The Director of Public Works shall require a new application to be submitted and compliance with all applicable sections of this Article.

7. The top of the pretreatment facilities, clarifier and inspection chamber shall be at least one inch (1") above the ground level when provided in an unroofed area. Provisions shall also be made to divert storm water away from the pretreatment facilities, clarifier and inspection chambers.

8. If changes should occur in plumbing layout subsequent to the issuance of an industrial waste permit, the discharger shall submit as built plumbing plans of building showing clearly the origin of wastewater, identifying the process creating the wastewater, and listing accurately for each wastewater discharge point the total daily flow in gallons and the peak flow rate in gallons per minute including location and details of pretreatment facilities, clarifier and its connection to the public sewer system for approval by the Director of Public Works and the building official.

F. A means shall be provided to effect immediate cessation of discharge of liquid chemicals, process solutions, or spent process solutions into the City sewer as a result of spills, overflows, leaks, failure of containers or inadvertent discharges. Such means of cessation shall include, but not be limited to, installation of automatic valves, gates, or bypasses to impervious containers which when activated will stop water supply to and the discharge from industrial processes. The discharger shall submit details of the proposed measures and drawings before installation and obtain approval from the Director of Public Works and the building official.

G. Expiration of Industrial Waste Permit: The Director of Public Works shall have the authority to impose a permit expiration date not to exceed a term of five (5) years, where they determine such a date is necessary to ensure compliance with all applicable laws and regulations governing the disposal of industrial wastes. Application for renewal of such a permit shall be made not later than one hundred eighty (180) days prior to the expiration date of the existing permit.

H. Permit Transfer Prohibited: Permits issued under this Article are not transferable from one location to another.

I. Environmental Impact Review: No permit to connect to or tap a public sewer to discharge industrial wastewater shall be issued if the proposed use of the public sewer may have a significant effect on the environment, unless the environmental review process has been completed pursuant to the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act.

J. Reporting and Self-Monitoring: Industrial waste permit holders must implement a self-monitoring and reporting program in compliance with Title 40, Section 403.12 of the Code of Federal Regulations. The nature of sampling and frequency of analysis and reporting will be based on the size of discharge and type of industrial operation.

1. Requirement For Monitoring Equipment: The Director of Public Works may require the discharger to install, use and maintain, at user expense, adequate continuous monitoring equipment or methods.

2. Record Maintenance by Discharger: The discharger shall retain, for a minimum period of three (3) years, records of monitoring activity and results including all original strip charts, calibration, and maintenance records. The Director of Public Works may require the discharger to submit such records for review.

3. Person Responsible To Report: Self-monitoring reports shall be signed by a duly authorized representative responsible for the overall operation of the facility from which discharge originates. In the case of a partnership, by the general partner. In the case of a sole proprietorship, by the proprietor.

4. Contents of Report: Each report shall contain the following declaration:

I declare under penalty of perjury that the forgoing is true and correct.

Executed on the day of ______, at ______.

Signature

K. Confidential Information; Public Access: Information and data concerning an industrial user obtained from reports, questionnaires, permit application, permits, monitoring programs and inspections shall be available to the public or other governmental agency without restriction unless the user specifically requests and is able to demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Director of Public Works that the release of such information would divulge information, processes or methods of production entitled to protection as trade secrets of the user, as exempted by the California Public Records Act. Wastewater constituents and characteristics will not be recognized as confidential information.

L. Permit Violations: The Director of Public Works shall serve a notice of violation upon the person owning, occupying or operating the premises when they find that:

1. Industrial waste, effluent, or any other material is being maintained, discharged, or deposited in such a manner as to create one or more of the following conditions:

a. A public nuisance;

b. A menace to public health and safety;

c. Pollution of underground or surface waters;

d. Adverse effect or damage to any public sewer, storm drain, channel or public or private property; or

2. The permittee failed to conform with conditions and limitations of its industrial waste permit; or

3. The industrial waste permit was issued in error, or on the basis of incorrect information supplied, or in violation of ordinance, regulation or law.

The notice shall describe the violation and require prompt correction thereof.

M. Injunctive Relief: The Director of Public Works may seek injunctive relief for noncompliance with any provision of this Article or the conditions and limitations of any permit issued pursuant to this Article.

N. Suspension Of Permit: The Director of Public Works shall suspend the permit of any permit holder who fails to comply with the conditions of his/her permit or any provision, rule, or regulation of this Article, which failure creates an urgent condition that is a threat to the health, welfare and safety of the community. Any person whose permit has been suspended shall immediately cease and desist the discharge of all industrial wastewater to the sewer system until the Director of Public Works verifies that the permit holder is in compliance.

1. The Director of Public Works shall reinstate a suspended permit when all violations have been corrected and all new conditions have been met to alleviate the urgent condition. Before any suspended permit is reinstated, all delinquent fees and additional charges due and owing to the City shall be paid.

2. In the event of a failure of the discharger to comply voluntarily with the suspension order, the Director of Public Works may take such steps as are reasonably necessary to ensure compliance. These include, but are not limited to, immediate blockage or disconnection of the discharger's connection to the sewer system.

O. Appeals To The Suspension Of Permit: Any discharger served with a notice of an intended order of suspension may file with the City Clerk a request for a hearing with respect thereto. The City Manager or a hearing examiner designated by the City Manager shall hold a hearing on the suspension within thirty (30) days of receipt of the request. Reasonable notice of the hearing shall be given to the discharger. At the close of the hearing, the City Manager or appointed hearing examiner shall make its determination whether to enforce, terminate, or conditionally terminate the suspension imposed by the Director of Public Works. In the event of a suspension of a permit due to imminent hazard related to continued discharge, the discharger may request that the hearing occur within five (5) days of receipt of the request. Filing of such a request shall not stay a suspension. Reasonable notice of the hearing shall be given to the suspended discharger.

P. Reinstatement Of Permit: The Director of Public Works shall reinstate the industrial waste permit upon proof of compliance which ends the urgent hazard created by the discharge that had been cause for the Director of Public Works to initiate the suspension, provided that the Director of Public Works is satisfied that all discharge requirements of this Article and any hearing officer order will be implemented.

Q. Revocation Of Industrial Waste Permit: The City Council may revoke an industrial waste permit by the following procedures:

1. A finding that the discharger has violated any provision of this Article. No revocation shall be ordered until a notice and hearing on the question has been held by the City Council as provided in Title 1, Chapter 4, Article 1 of the Beverly Hills Municipal Code.

2. Any discharger whose industrial waste permit has been revoked shall immediately cease and desist all discharge of any wastewater covered by the permit. The Director of Public Works may disconnect or permanently block the discharger's connection if such action is necessary to ensure compliance with the order of revocation.

3. After revocation of a dischargers industrial waste permit, there shall be no further discharge of industrial wastewater by that discharger into the sewer system, the storm drain system, or the waters of the state unless there has been a new application filed, all fees and charges that would be required upon an initial application and all delinquent fees, charges, penalties and other sums owed by the discharger and/or the applicant to the City have been paid to the City, and a new industrial waste permit has been issued. Any costs incurred by the City, including administrative costs and investigative fees, in revoking the permit and disconnecting the connection, if necessary, shall also be paid for by the discharger before issuance of a new industrial waste permit.

4. Notice of the hearing shall be given to the discharger at least ten (10) days prior to the date of hearing. Unless otherwise provided herein, any notice required to be given by the Director of Public Works under this Article shall be in writing and served in person or by registered or certified mail addressed to the addressee's last known address with request for return receipt. Where no address is known, service may be made upon the owner of record of the property upon which the alleged violation occurred or by posting the notice conspicuously on the property.

R. Emergency Remedial Measures: The Director of Public Works shall have full power and authority to take any necessary precautions in order to protect life, protect property, or prevent further damage resulting from a condition that is likely to result in a discharge which presents an imminent hazard to the public health, safety or welfare; or which either singularly or by interaction with other discharges, is an imminent hazard to the sewer system. The Director of Public Works may suspend the permit and order cessation of water service to the property on which the hazardous condition exists and may order the sealing of the industrial sewer connection through which the hazardous discharge is conveyed. Upon cessation of water service or sealing of the industrial sewer connection, the City shall notify the discharger of the reason for the discontinuance and the necessary corrective action to be taken by the discharger before service will be restored.

S. Public Notice Of Violation: The Director of Public Works shall provide annual public notification, in the largest daily newspaper published in the municipality in which the POTW is located, of industrial users of the POTW which during the previous twelve (12) months, were significantly violating applicable standards or other pretreatment requirements, as provided in 40 CFR 403.8.

T. Industrial Waste Discharge Fees: The fees established in this section shall be set annually by the City Council. All fees established in this section shall be applicable to all sewer connections within the City, except that, those portions of the City within the Los Angeles County Sanitation District no. 4 shall not be subject to any of the fees set forth in the following subsections where a fee for similar service is imposed by the Los Angeles County Sanitation District no. 4.

1. Industrial Waste Plan Review Fee: A plan review fee shall be paid to the City, at the time of submittal, for each set of industrial wastewater pretreatment and plumbing plans received for any single site or location as may be required by the Director of Public Works as part of the industrial waste permit application. Such fee shall be separate and apart from any fee or deposit collected for any permit or inspection or imposed by any other City ordinance or regulation. Such plan review fee shall be applied to any submittal required by the Director of Public Works and shall not be refundable even though the submittal may be rejected or project terminated.

a. The Director of Public Works may impose a reinstatement fee of one-half (1/2) of the plan review fee if the applicant fails to correct any plans or submittal upon written notice of correction or request for additional information by the Director of Public Works after three (3) attempts have been made to gain such correction.

2. Annual Inspection Fee: Every person granted an industrial waste permit under this Article shall pay a fee to the City for inspection and control and such fee shall be fixed and established from time to time by the City Council.

a. Immediately upon issuance of a new permit, the permittee shall be billed a percentage of the inspection fee, determined by the days remaining in the billing period, as scheduled below:

b. Inspection Classifications: The Director of Public Works may establish a classification system based on the minimum number of inspections per year which the Director of Public Works determines to be necessary for the property enforcement of this Article and subsequent amendments.

c. Due Dates: The annual inspection fee shall be paid annually in advance of one of four (4) dates as follows:

3. Wastewater Sampling And Analysis Fee: The Director of Public Works may charge the industrial waste permittee a fee for each analysis performed by or on behalf of the City on wastewater samples taken from the discharger. Said fee shall be set by City Council and reflect the City's cost for sampling. The sampling and analysis fee shall be paid by the discharger within thirty (30) days of the statement date.

4. Quality Surcharge Fee: The City Council may establish a charge for each pound of suspended solids and for each pound of biochemical oxygen demand. Every person granted an industrial waste permit under this Article shall pay an annual quality surcharge fee for wastes discharged into the sanitary sewer system pursuant to the following formula:

C = V [a(SS - 250) + b(BOD - 230)] k

Where:

C is the quality surcharge fee.

V is the chargeable volume of waste discharged in gallons, based in: 1) the volume of water supplied to the premises less an amount determined by the Director of Public Works to account for water not discharged into the sanitary sewer system, or 2) the metered volume of waste discharged into the sanitary sewer system according to a measuring device approved by the Director of Public Works, or 3) a figure determined by the Director of Public Works based on any other equitable method.

SS is the suspended solids in the waste discharged, expressed in milligrams per liter.

BOD is the five (5) day biochemical oxygen demand of the waste discharged, expressed in milligrams per liter.

a is the cost assessed for each pound of suspended solids, and such cost shall be fixed and established from time to time by the City Council.

b is the cost assessed for each pound of biochemical oxygen demand, and such cost shall be fixed and established from time to time by the City Council.

k is a dimensional constant to convert C to dollars.

If the term containing SS or BOD is negative, a value of zero shall be used for that term.

SS and BOD analyses shall be made in accordance with "standard methods". In determining the quality surcharge fee, the Director of Public Works may use industrial averages for SS and BOD values, as well as the information provided by the Discharger pursuant to Section 6-1-315(C) of this Article. The Director of Public Works may group permit holders into discharge volume ranges where volume measurement at the premises of a permit holder is impractical for physical, economic or other reasons, these volume ranges may be used in establishing the quality surcharge fee.

a. Appeal From Quality Surcharge Fee: Any permit holder whose quality surcharge fee has been determined in the manner provided may appeal the fee amount by submission of engineering data to the Director of Public Works. If the Director of Public Works finds the discharge of the permit holder differs significantly from the volume range which was applied, the Director shall adjust the fee.

b. Due Date For Quality Surcharge Fee: The quality surcharge fee will be separate charge to be included in the bimonthly water/wastewater utility billing and due in full on the day the notice is received. Water/wastewater utility bills not paid within fifteen (15) days of receipt are delinquent.

5. Penalty For Delinquency: All fees required by this Article shall be due and payable on the billing date established by Director of Finance Administration. Fees not paid within thirty (30) calendar days from the billing date shall be subject to a ten percent (10%) penalty fee for each thirty (30) day period beyond the billing date that the fee is due. Permits for which the inspection fee is delinquent for ninety (90) days or more are subject to suspension. (1962 Code §§ 5-6.01 et seq., 6-1.301 - 6-1.304; amd. Ord. 25-O-2917, eff. 8-1-2025)

A. Applicability: This section shall apply to all dischargers of industrial wastewater. The requirements of this section shall not apply where more restrictive limitations are imposed by the County of Los Angeles, national categorical pretreatment standards, an NPDES permit, or an industrial waste permit issued by the Director of Public Works pursuant to Section 6-1-311 .

B. Scope And Compliance: No person shall introduce wastewater in the sewer system or POTW that exceeds the local limits provided in this section.

*Values for phenol and selenium and other constituents not shown, such as fluoride, boron, aluminum, iron, tin, cobalt, etc., have been established for general application. They are not critical constituents at this time for existing sources. The board of public works of the City of Los Angeles will impose such limits as it may find necessary to ensure compliance with treatment plant discharge limits and more restrictive pretreatment standards for new sources prescribed by the environmental protection agency (EPA).

In addition to the concentration limits for heavy metals and toxicants in this subsection B of this section, the discharge shall also comply with the maximum allowable daily mass emission rate and the maximum allowable monthly mass emission rates as determined by the City of Los Angeles.

C. Concentration Limits And Prohibitions: The total daily mass emission rate for effluent concentrations that are defined in section 6-1-312(B) shall be limited by the following:

1. The daily mass emission rate for each constituent shall be calculated from the total waste flow occurring in each specific day, and the maximum concentration limit. The mass emission rate of the discharge during any twenty four (24) hour period shall not exceed the product of the proposed daily average discharge in million gallons per day, maximum concentration limit, and a constant 8.34.

2. The monthly mass emission rate for each constituent shall be calculated from the total waste flow occurring in each specific month, and the average concentration limit or the maximum concentration limit, if average concentration limit is not prescribed. The mass emission rate of discharge during any month shall not exceed the product of proposed monthly average discharge in million gallons per month, average concentration limit, or the maximum concentration limit, if average concentration limit is not prescribed, and a constant 8.34.

3. No discharge shall have any corrosive or detrimental characteristics that may cause injury to wastewater treatment, inspection or maintenance personnel or may cause damage to structures, equipment or other physical facilities of the public sewer system.

4. The temperature of the wastes discharged shall not exceed one hundred forty degrees Fahrenheit (140°F) nor shall the temperature exceed one hundred four degrees Fahrenheit (104°F) at the point of entry into the POTW treatment facility.

5. Radioactivity in the effluent shall not exceed the limits specified in ordinance 17, chapter 5, subchapter 4, group 3, article 5, section 30287, of the California Code of Regulations.

6. Discharge of the following wastes into public sewer system is prohibited unless expressly allowed in an Industrial Waste Permit issued by the Director of Public Works:

a. Any solids or viscous substances of such size or in such quantity that may cause obstruction to the flow in the sewer or be detrimental to proper wastewater treatment plant operations. These objectionable substances include, but are not limited to, asphalt, dead animals, offal, ashes, sand, mud, straw, industrial process shavings, metal, glass, rags, feathers, plastics, wood, whole blood, bones, hair, coffee grounds, egg shells, seafood shells, fleshings, entrails, grease or fats, paper dishes, paper cups, milk containers, or other similar paper products either whole or ground.

b. Gasoline, mercury, total identifiable chlorinated hydrocarbons, kerosene, naphtha, benzene, toluene, xylene, ethers, alcohols, ketones, aldehydes, peroxides, chlorates, perchlorates, bromates, carbides, hydrides, plastic or rubber pellets, petrochemical or carbon-based solvents, pesticides or jet fuel;

c. Any pollutant released in a discharge at a flow rate and/or pollutant concentration which will cause interference with the POTW.

d. Any nonbiodegradable cutting oil, commonly called soluble oil, which forms persistent water emulsions.

e. Any wastes with BOD, COD or decomposable organic contents that exceed the amount permissible in accordance with applicable permit conditions, or sewer capacity.

f. Any strongly odorous waste or waste which can create odors in receiving waters of sewerage system.

g. Any bypass or non-routine discharge of noxious or malodorous liquids, gases, vapors, solids, or other wastewater which, either singly or by interaction with other materials, are sufficient to create a public nuisance or a hazard to life or cause potential health impacts to the POTW;

h. Any substance which will cause the POTW to violate its NPDES permit, or applicable Federal or State statutes, rules or regulations;

i. Any pollutants which result in the presence of toxic gases, vapors or fumes within the POTW that may cause worker health and safety problems;

j. Any industrial wastes containing floatable fats, waxes, grease or oils, or which become floatable at the wastewater temperature at the entrance to the POTW treatment plant;

k. Any amounts of organic phosphorous type compounds, which exceed the amounts permissible by applicable permit conditions or sewer capacity;

l. Any amounts of deionized water, steam condensate or distilled water, which exceed the amounts permissible by applicable permit conditions or sewer capacity;

m. Any waste containing substances that may precipitate, solidify or become viscous at temperatures between fifty degrees Fahrenheit (50°F) and one hundred forty degrees Fahrenheit (140°F);

n. Any waste producing excessive discoloration of wastewater or treatment plant effluent;

o. Any material containing ammonia, ammonia salts, or other chelating agents which will produce metallic complexes that could interfere with the POTW or storm drain system;

p. Any wastewater causing the POTW treatment plant effluent to fail a toxicity test as required by regulatory permits;

q. Any blow down or bleed off water from cooling towers or other evaporation coolers exceeding one-third (1/3) of the makeup water;

r. Any single pass cooling water;

s. Floatable material which is readily removable;

t. Any recognizable portions of the human or animal anatomy;

u. Any human or animal blood suspected or known to contain bloodborne pathogen(s);

v. Any Pharmaceutical wastes;

w. Any medical wastes;

x. Any Sharps;

y. Pollutants which create a fire or explosion hazard in the POTW, including, but not limited to, wastestreams with a closed cup flashpoint of less than one hundred forty degrees Fahrenheit (140°F) or sixty degrees centigrade (60°C) using the test methods specified in 40 CFR 261.21;

z. Any rainwater, storm water, street drainage, surface drainage, roof drainage, yard drainage, water from the yard fountains, swimming pools or lawn sprays, ground water that does not conform to the requirements of Section 6-1-307 (A)(10);

aa. The discharge of any radiological, chemical, or biological warfare agent or radiological waste is prohibited.

bb. Any wastes containing detergents, surface active agents, or other substances which may cause the creation of foam that overflows outside the capacity of the sewer system, POTW, or storm drain system.

cc. Wastes prohibited by this Section shall not be processed or stored in such a manner that these wastes could be discharged to the POTW or storm drain system. All floor drains located in process or materials storage areas must discharge to the industrial user's pretreatment facility before connecting with the POTW system.

D. Compliance With Standards: The industrial waste permittee shall comply with applicable toxic and pretreatment standards promulgated in accordance with sections 307 and 308 of the Act, or amendments thereto. The discharger shall submit periodic notices (over intervals not to exceed 3 months) of progress toward compliance with applicable toxic and pretreatment standards developed pursuant to the Act, or amendments thereto.

E. National Categorical Pretreatment Standards (NCPS): Upon promulgation of mandatory NCPS for any industrial subcategory, the NCPS, if more restrictive than limitations imposed by this section, shall apply. The Director of Public Works may impose a phased compliance schedule to ensure that affected industries meet the NCPS. Failure to meet the phased compliance schedule may result in permit suspension or revocation. Those dischargers subject to NCPS shall comply with all reporting requirements in accordance with the general pretreatment regulations for existing and new sources of pollution (Title 40, Part 403 of the Code of Federal Regulations).

F. Prohibited Material Disposal: All wastes which are prohibited from being discharged into public sewers, including, but not limited to, chemical solutions, acids, caustic wastes, solvents, oil and grease, screenings, sludges, and other solids removed from liquid wastes, etc., shall be held in impervious containers and disposed of at a legal point of disposal. For the purpose of this requirement, a "legal point of disposal" is defined as one for which waste discharge requirements have been prescribed by a regional water quality control board, and which is in full compliance therewith.

G. Off Site Disposal; Reporting: The discharger shall submit a hazardous waste manifest demonstrating that the waste referred to in subsection (F) above has been properly disposed, as required by the Director of Public Works, by the fifteenth day of the month following the reporting period.

H. New Standard Enforcement: If a toxic effluent standard or prohibition (including any schedule of compliance specified in such effluent standard or prohibition) is established under section 307(a) of the Act, or amendments thereto, for a toxic pollutant which is present in the discharge authorized by the permit, the Director of Public Works shall revise or modify the permit in accordance with such toxic effluent standard or prohibition, and so notify the discharger. Compliance with the new standard or prohibition shall be in accordance with the prescribed timetables set by the Act or within a reasonable time as determined by the Director of Public Works.

I. Dilution Prohibited: No person shall discharge or cause to be discharged any water or other substance added for the purpose of diluting any industrial wastewater to achieve compliance with limitations imposed by the provision of this section. (1962 Code §§ 5-6.01 et seq., 6-1.301 - 6-1.304; amd. Ord. 25-O- 2917, eff. 8-1-2025)

A. Installation Of Control Maintenance Hole: The Director of Public Works may require an industrial wastewater discharger to furnish and install a control maintenance hole of a design approved by the Director of Public Works to facilitate inspection and sampling by the City or other governmental agencies. Such maintenance holes shall be constructed at locations approved by the Director of Public Works and authorized City personnel shall have unrestricted access thereto at all times consistent with the provisions of the applicable industrial waste permit. Access of others to such maintenance holes shall be restricted by appropriate security measures.

B. Reporting Requirements: Industrial waste permittees shall submit Quarterly Reports to the Los Angeles County Public Works Department and the Department of Public Works identifying the total volume of groundwater and the amount of SS and BOD, in pounds discharged to the public sewer system, during the prior quarter. Quarterly Reports are due no later than 5:00 p.m. on February 1, May 1, August 1, and November 1 of each year. Dischargers shall furnish additional reports concerning the disposal of industrial wastes as required by the Director of Public Works.

C. Standard Methods: All wastewater constituents, including BOD and SS, shall be determined in accordance with the standard methods. (1962 Code §§ 5-6.01 et seq., 6-1.301 - 6-1.304; amd. Ord. 05-O-2478, eff. 8-5-2005; Ord. 25-O-2917, eff. 8-1-2025)